I like what you said about “knowing what’s hiding in the drawers” - even when a house LOOKS tidy, knowing that there’s clutter to take care of, still takes up room in your brain and adds stress. Clearing out ALL the extra unnecessary things has been so therapeutic for me. I still have a small pile in my living room from all the other rooms and closets that I’m sifting through and I hate that it’s there but I want to do it right and retraining my brain to realize that none of that stuff really matters, helps to let go it. As a long time, stay at home mom, I’m a frugal/guilt hoarder in minimalist-recovery so it’s been a challenge.
Am I the only one that likes to clean out, declutter, get rid of, throw out while listening to Dawn? 😂 Also when I get nervous or stressed I start decluttering. Just how some people eat when they are stressed...I declutter.
Yes Lisa S! Totally agree! 👍Dawn's videos are a perfect motivator and companion to cleaning and decluttering. I don't know how she does it, but even listening to an older video-- I'll hear advice that's totally relevant to the items I'm decluttering. It's awesome! Hey, better that we declutter and triumph than spent and regret, right??!!
At the beginning of this year we moved out all of our furniture so our stone floors could be polished and sealed. After the floors were done I didn't want all that extra furniture back because the spaces looked clean and spacious. We only brought back the couch and 2 chairs and hung the t.v. on the wall. We got rid of wall units and hutches and book shelves. I love it and it is so much easier to keep clean.🙂
Thanks Dawn. I needed this today. I had two big bulky red leather swivel chairs that I didn't like anymore. I got them used, but they were high-end and I paid $300 each. I really don't even like red. I don't wear red. I used it in decorating in my past, but don't like it anymore. I also had my mother's tiffany-style stained glass lamps, that I inherited and they don't go with my newer, more minamalist-modern vibe. I moved them out after seeing your video this morning and I tell you what, it felt like a breath of sunshine. I felt so light and happy seeing them gone. Thanks for the permission to let go of something I paid money for and also something sentimental. Just because Mom liked it doesn't mean I have to like it. She also changed her decorating styles over the years, so I know she'd understand. I'll try to sell them, but if they don't go fast (by the end of the weekend) I'll donate to Habitat for Humanity re-store. You always inspire me soooooooooooo much. Thanks Chica!
I want to say one more thing which is that its more than just getting rid of furniture or whatever the stuff is. It's pulling back layers of what has accumulated over 11 years of marriage and 3 kids later and rediscovering who I am...a fresher me, wife and mother. I got lost as an individual among all the layers. As a mother and wife I wear many hats so by minimizing stuff I am also decluttering my mind. Thanks to your posts which are very realistic and not weird I am on my way to a better, fresher mindset. May God bless your family with all that you need .
Yeeesss to this video! My husband and I were JUST saying the other day how we have company like 2 times a year for only a few days! So why do we need to keep a whole spare bedroom set up all year when we could be using the space for ourselves? I ❤ the questions you said we can ask ourselves about our furniture. I didn't realize how many hand-me-down pieces we've actually owned for the last 20+ years! And almost NONE of it brings me joy! Time to move it on out. Exciting! 😁 Practical, encouraging and absolutely do-able advice once again, Dawn! 👍
Kelsey D I have ( finally) a small bedroom to use for my hobbies. I relented and put a twin bed in also ( women does this you know) for the very occasional guest. There is a nice b&b nearby and I found I was very annoyed when my husband offered MY space for a visitor . I am considering getting rid of the bed then there will be NO option but nearby hospitality venues for guests.
Yes, set it free! Someone else is looking for just that piece and will appreciate it. We have had several bad tornadoes in our area this year that displaced many people; many of whom had no insurance. Community furniture banks can get your old pieces to those who really need them.
After watching this video, I was on a mission. I’ve simplified my life decluttered so many times. Because I’ve been off work for a few month do to injury, I’ve had time to really stare at my things. So the idea of getting rid of furniture that was “”in my way”. Messed up my flow”. I posed to sell a few things and as time went buy, I posted Free if you can pick up today! Ahhhh I feel so much better. Thank you!
I found we didn't need a lot of furniture once we got rid of the stuff that was in there. Lol . I also thought I better get rid of it before I refill it. Great video
So much easier to breathe. Love how your children are learning how to participate in the cleaning and cooking, etc. Really great kids and family. So nice to see.
I remember reading that we are natural hoarders and I definitely feel it. Same thing with food. When the weather gets cold I want to eat more and stock up my pantry. And I definitely have too much furniture for my house. Great tips. Really love your channel.
This is so true for me. I have gotten rid of some furniture after I started decluttering. Decluttering is the best thing I have ever done for myself besides loving God of course. I am so happy now. It’s so much less stuff to manage. I have said this so much after I heard you say it. If I don’t want to manage it I don’t bring it into my home. I don’t take things because some one else wants to give it to me.
Thanks sssoooooo much Dawn! My first thought when I saw the "after" in your first video was "There is not enough seating!" But when you explained doing something that is right for your family amd not the occassional get together, a light bulb went on! I've been thinking about downsizing our large dining table but was worried "Where do people eat if we have a family gatherimg?" Well, we have a gathering at our house once every year or two and what's wrong with eating buffet style with random seating anyway! Thanks Dawn for showing me there is freedom to do what is best for us!
So agree with the idea of not keeping stuff for the occasional event. I was doing the same but realized that we can always make do with what we have and that the people who come over aren't going to care.
Thank you for this. We hauled around a piano (that no one played) given to us by my parents through 8 moves- crazy!! Your advise is timely and appreciated!!
I think I found you about a year and a half ago and I am so glad I did. I've been on this minimal journey for about 8 years now but off and on. There's always something that sets me back a bit. Thankfully, I find my way again before too much damage is done. This video is exactly what I needed today. I have, what I consider to be a beautiful coffee table, or it was 5 years ago, I've had a hard time letting it go. My kids have really destroyed it and being a flat surface it just collects so much stuff. The bottom of it is also used for hiding things when cleaning is supposed to take place. I've been on the fence about it. It's never properly used and more often than not it is a launching pad to crash land onto the couch. I think it's time has come... This video and furniture editing I think has given me what I needed to let it go.
Yes, yes, yes!! Permission accepted. We’re in a similar situation, 1500 sq ft and 6 people and I get the same reaction in my home too. The breathing room gives us space to be creative- mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Love the room Dawn. A month ago my inlaws moved into the new house we built and it was a beautiful space. Then they emptied their storage unit and the house is rammed with 3 generations of stuff. It really brings your point home! They're constantly de-cluttering right now and it's exhausting. Makes me more determined to clear our bit of the house.
This couldn’t have come at a better time! One question that I keep trying to ask myself is “Do I like the thing itself, or do I like the *idea* of this thing?” The couch, for example. Everyone fights over the armchair, so what if we just had a couple of armchairs instead? As you said, we could always use dining or folding chairs if we have guests.
So glad to hear you say that about seating. We only have company (more than 1 or 2 people) on the occasional birthday or holiday. But family members are always insisting we need more seating. No thanks! 🙂
i brought up the idea of my family members (three of us total) each having a recliner and the response was, where will we put a couch/sofa for guests? .... what guests, when will they be here...???
We know a guy who was in desperate need of some furniture and we had this old loveseat we weren’t crazy about anyway (also had a full size couch and a chair) when we took it out of our house we fell in love with the little bit of space it opened up. My mom asked a few times when we were going to get a new loveseat because it’s expected but it’s been a couple of years now😄
We made the decision a few years ago to take ALL our DVDs and Blu-ray disks out of their cases and put them into flat sleeves for filing in a card-catalog style box. It was the best decision ever!!! They had been taking up so much room and with nearly 400 movies, it was getting hard to find things. I alphabetically organized the movies by title with a color coding system for movie rating so my kids could easily see if it was a movie they could watch...yellow and red were for PG13 and R, blue and green were G and PG respectively. I also added information about the movie such as year of release, main actors, and running time. It’s been a perfect system and so efficient for actual movie watching. I was afraid at first to throw the cases away (resale) but I think with their smaller footprint, we probably won’t ever get rid of them. Just wanted to share in case someone else has this issue of too many movies and not enough space😉
2020 is the year for us to finally get decluttered. Yesterday we removed 2 big pieces of furniture. Today I removed another. It feels SO GOOD for them to be gone !! Yesterday we took a big bag of clothes, a bag of misc, the furniture & 17 mugs to thrift shop. Today I passed along 3 small appliances to a friend who knows people who can benefit from them. My husband had trouble letting go of a chair.....but we weren't using that chair any more. It was just collecting stuff ! It feels wonderful for it to be gone. It feels so good to see dents in the clutter. I am finding it easier to clean w/less stuff in our home. We have more floor space now & I love the empty space!
I have the same dresser as you but it's a beautiful blue! I bought it as a TV stand because I don't like the TV low down and I'm in rented so can't put it on the wall; also it was to hold all my stuff which thanks to you and Joshua Becker I'm getting rid of 😁 Seriously, I had the same stuff as you inside, games we don't play, an old Wii & fitness board (LOL) DVDs and TWO DVD players (?) boxes of CD's I don't listen to and even CASSETTES from the 80's & 90's 😂 One drawer was full of old candles & tea lights, another odd wires & old phones and the only useful drawer has blankets for when it's cold! Now I have a beautiful but almost empty cabinet but It's in useless recess so not taking space and I do love it so I might use it for my work papers and get rid of my ugly filing cabinet instead 😉 and get more space in my 'office' (still a store room - next step!)
Every Vlog you post I think I will comment. I started following you earlier this year. I was drowning in paperwork. What to save? What to keep? I was absolutely TORMENTED. I asked Minimal groups on FB. I Googled it. T O R M E N T E D. My paperwork sat for two months I couldn't even look at it. Until one day surfing through RUclips. There you were with an easy system I could wrap my mind around. Life changing! I finished filing all my paperwork since July of 2017 Yes for real! Since then I have discovered all your videos, the ones you and your sister make and the ones with Tom. You all are so awesome! Keep doing what you do!
I've been going through a major de-cluttering, and every trip to Goodwill feels so good! :) Thanks for all your inspiration and encouragement, Dawn! The questions that have helped me the most are "Do I really want to have to take care of this?" and "Am I even using this?" The answer is usually no! :)
I'm decluttering too. Two large shopping bags out yesterday then this morning found a box of my grandmother's old dishes. I moved them here nearly 20 years ago and JUST opened the box. (color me embarrassed) They are my next trip, now what else can I pack up to take with them??? 😄
@@jennyslavis375 Oh, good luck to you! My post was over a year ago and the process has been amazing. Sometimes I look at my house now and I just can't believe it...and yes, Dawn is very inspiring! :)
Always great tips! The questions you pose are especially helpful in assessing each individual situation. That way we aren't just trying to "copy" your choices, but we're equipped to evaluate our own. Blessings to you, and thanks!
Dressers are great in the garage or basement to store household items like lightbulbs, extension cords, tools, flashlights. I put labels on mine and it works great.
When you get caught up in the "but I spent good money for this so I should keep it" thinking, you are falling prey to the Sunk Cost Fallacy, which is an economics term describing how our past investments drive our present and future behavior and decisions (like keeping an object we spent big on, but that we may not even like or need now)--as if somehow keeping the object allows us to retain the investment. In reality, the money (or labor) is spent, and can never be retrieved--it's a sunk cost/gone forever. The way to move forward is to ADMIT and ACCEPT that the money is gone (look at it like you're paying tuition for a lesson in the school of life!--money well-spent, usually!), and acknowledge that keeping the object does NOT, canNOT, and will NOT ever get the money back. For me, this makes it easier to let go of stuff that may have served the past me, but does not serve today's me.
That's a great way of objectifying the loss! My daughter said something to me very similar when I couldn't get rid of clothes I'd bought that I hadn't worn, she said that when I buy a gift for someone I don't consider it a waste of money even though I don't keep it myself, so just consider that you're 'gifting' your clothes to someone that will actually wear them and will be very pleased to have them 💗
@@MsAwesomeGiraffe I literally just donated my mom's crystal cookie jar because it is not serving my current self. I said thank you to it (Marie Kondo-style) and wished it to go to a home that will use it and enjoy it.
Oh man. I needed to see this video. We just got a new kitchen table because our old one was over 15 years old. One of the chairs was broken and the other three were in bad shape. I finally found one that I liked and would fit in our house. (960 sq foot home) I have been having trouble getting rid of our old table because we have alot of memories around that table. :) I tried to search around my house for another purpose for it but, we really just don't have the extra room for it. :/ I think I will bite the bullet and donate it and someone else will maybe enjoy it as much as we have. :)
I am loving your "editing" techniques❤ Seeing the cool transformation in your home is really inspiring me to reevaluate the things in mine! I just went and removed the coasters I hate in my livingroom and I feel better already😆
It is tempting to go out and buy new things to reorganize or reset a room. My current rule is to declutter and minimize first, use what I have second, and then and only then do I consider a new piece of furniture to better suit a room and purpose. Sometimes, we think we need something new, but often just a cleaning, decluttering, and/or rearranging is all we really need. Often, too, impulse buying that new piece of furniture may make us think we are solving a problem when we really aren't. I did this with a huge cedar chest. I thought the ample storage space would spark joy and solve my clutter. Instead, it is the elephant in my living room, and a pain to clean around, so it becomes a dust bunny and Lego trap. I feel badly because I convinced my husband to buy it for me at a "bargain" of $60, and now I don't want it.
If you want to try moving out furniture, but don’t have strong people in your home (especially because of quarantine), furniture sliders are so easy and work incredibly well. I’m not super strong, but I’ve been able to rearrange rooms super easy and by myself with the help of sliders.
Here's a hint for increasing the amount of seating available by using the dining room chairs or in our case the kitchen nook chairs in the great room for larger gatherings.
This is exactly the stage I’m in right now! I still have things to get rid of, but I’m also seeing furniture that no longer serves us, and I’m happy to get rid of it!
Dawn you've really inspired me to go minimalist. We've done our bedroom so far and it is SO MUCH BETTER. I've got my husband on board as well and so looking forward to getting the rest of the house done! Thanks Dawn and Tom!!
We parted ways with two large cabinets, that were in our livingroom. They were over flowing with stuff. So, I cleaned them out. Most of it was stuff we didn't need anyways. What we did need I had other places for the stuff. It made our livingroom feel so much bigger.
Thank you for this video! I just took out a bookshelf that was so bulky and replaced it with something I had in another room that takes up so much less space and is easier to keep clean. Keep your inspirational videos coming! I look forward to all of them!
We have 2 coffee tables and 1 of them we use to put cages from our lodge parrots. This made the room feel larger. When the guests were gone again with my husband consulted to save 1 so that we had more space in the living room. He didn't find it at first and agreed to just try it for a while. Meanwhile 6 months later he is also used to it.
Love that comment, thinking about the season you are in. I was talking to someone just the other day about how I am getting rid of stuff that doesn’t fit into this current season of life and I can always re-buy it later on in life if I really want it!!!
Love all the tips! So good! I personally love revamping spaces, reorganizing, etc. so I love stuff like this - but I also hate cleaning certain things and love having less in our living space! It’s my daycare that I struggle with! And it’s pretty minimal overall but there’s just so much STUFF that comes along with caring for ages 0-5 at one time
I know this is an older video, but just ran across it. When our last child moved out we went on a decluttering rampage. We got rid of bunk bed frames, three desks, two desk chairs, a big clunky dresser, a rocking chair, and a bookcase. It was amazing how free it left me feeling. The other day I told my husband that I'm kind of over our china hutch. Now I'm itching to get rid of it but I'm not sure who will be willing to take it. Everytime I look at my dining room though now, I see this china hutch that is just visual clutter.
Thanks so much! My kids are grown & have their own families, my husband passed away years ago. I’ll be moving from Texas to Kentucky, so thanks also for the staging tips.
This was exactly what I needed to hear. I’ve declutt pretty well over the last few years but there were a few peices of furniture I was holding onto. After I watched your video I could finally let go and got rid of them within the hour, aaaahhhhh relief
I love interior design and having a flowing theme throughout the house with furniture and curtains cushions decor. It does have to be meaningful your right! Some beautiful styles are French Romantic, Mauresque, Moroccan, Oriental, Baroque, Mid century, Art Nouveau, Modern Contemporary, or Farm house. You can pick up really beautiful second hand pieces and sometimes good quality new furniture is a lifetime investment. It doesn't work to have different styles in each room, they won't flow so well, but they could be similar styles such as a bit of oriental in each morrocan style room. Also matching pieces look pretty boring, it pays to brighten it up with for example a brown leather chaise and velvet arm chairs. Or a Persian rug on wooden floors, or French tassel cushions with a heavy linen throw. Mix it up, make it yours put the B back in Beautiful Living Experience ❤
I’m a new subscriber and I greatly enjoy your videos! You have become my favorite youtuber quickly and now when I watch my old favorite youTubers I think, if they had less stuff, they wouldn’t have to work so hard. I frequently make donations (just dropped off 3 trash bags this morning and gave to someone in need the last 2 Sundays). I cleaned out my kids drawers how you showed yesterday and I’m so excited (no thinking, just grabbed clothes in the drawer this morning!). Thank you for your videos and sharing your faith, it’s most important to me.
Just saw this today for the first time (but not the last time, I'm sure! :-D) and so many things just resonated with me, both in Dawn's words and in the marvelous comments. Thank you all. So very helpful as I move forward along this journey.
Yes !!! I have become so "picky" as my husband says... I call it intentional. With every purchase. I have a house full of furniture (minimal and functional) but they are not the exact thing I wanted! I'd rather make do and wait to find the perfect piece at a price I'm comfortable paying. Preferably second hand! Just this year alone we got rid of our 9 year old daughters nightstand, (more like a clutter/junk collector), recliner, side table, center part of our L shaped couch (it was massive), extra kinky chairs, we replace our long rectangle table for 6, with a round one for 4 with a leaf that seats 10, but it's so much easier to move around with the round table and only 4 chairs, ( we keep a 6ft party table and 8 chairs in small storage unit in back). I don't have much decorations maybe one or two per room but every time I look at them I go "ugghhhh" the guilt. Lol. I'm working on it!
It's such a good feeling! I got rid of some furniture, artwork, kitchenware to someone who really needed it. Feels like such a win. He's coming this week to take a few more things I have for him.
Very timely. I was just looking at some furniture this weekend thinking that it just attracts clutter that I have to clean around. I think I'm going to take pictures, haul them down to storage (to free up the space) and post them "for sale" and see if I can't get rid of them.
I got rid of the wardrobe where I stored my vacuum and cleaning supplies. They now fit under the decluttered sink and in my decluttered closet. I decluttered a chest of drawers and fitted all the dvds I am keeping in there, so I could get rid of a big bookcase in the living room
You really help put in perspective the faulty thinking that keeps us cluttered - or allows us to get that way. That dresser ... so nice I would have had a tough time letting go so kudos to you that you did.
That one chair would only seat 1 person anyway if you had people over. For less floor space you can store several of your stackable chairs. Great idea. I have a couple tables I bought cheap at a consignment shop several years ago. I'm ready to let them go, but I'll have to deal with all the STUFF on/in them. Ugh! The struggle is real.
Dawn, We're not all natural hoarders. I used to be minimal, neat + tidy. ( Used to be) I have several friends who are naturally organized, neat, clean + tidy, some even to excess. ( I would take even 25% of their gift) They were born with it. I continually work at it. Thanks for all your help!
I love watching your videos, Dawn! Even though your video is obviously about decluttering the space and making your home feel good, I think the quote I found most meaningful to me was "It takes time to raise kids." I'm going to write that down and will be reminding myself that everytime I get frustrated when my to do list doesn't get done. 4 little babes take time to raise!! Thanks again :)
Such good advice! I am learning to embrace less is more! It’s taken a long time. We downsized to two bedroom log cabin we built. Our kids are grown.the second bedroom (a loft) is for them when they visit.
This is so hard for me! I am the queen of buying something, trying it for a couple of months and deciding I don't actually like it in the space or it doesn't function like I thought--and it is usually too late to return it. Drives my husband nuts. It has made me much more selective when choosing and more creative to see if I need it or can find a better option.
I'm looking on top of all my furniture and yes there is stuff on top of everything hmm. Some great interior advice is your living room is for socializing/family fun it's not a museum
Started getting rid of furniture and it’s so freeing!! Finally have the space to get things we actually want and more importantly our rooms have more space😍😍😍
I would have kept the dresser and gotten rid of the toy bins. Definitely get rid of one or the other. They are similar, but the dresser is prettier. Could you put bins inside the drawers? I am all about the spacious. Just got rid of 1/2 of the office furniture. It feels amazing
Good question! I agree that the dresser is much nicer looking, it just felt too big for the space...its harder to tell on the video, but in person it was a really significant difference in how the room felt without the dresser :)
Speaking of recliners. We bought a recliner to replace my wife’s older one. However, the cats and dog quickly claimed the new recliner as their new bed, so we ended up moving out their old pet bed instead and my wife was stuck with her old recliner which we now looked as broken in instead of old.
Cutest thumbnail ever!! You are so stinkin' adorable. (OK, even though we are basically the same age, adorable is the only word for you, ha ha). Love these ideas of editing a room. When are you going to write a book with pictures and tips? I'd love a reference with everything in one place (talk about organized...) Thanks for posting helpful content!
Hi Dawn-Love seeing all your videos! I have a question for you: would you consider doing a video or video series on how to adopt minimalism while being physically disabled? This is obviously a challenge, because you cannot just get motivated and do it (no easy task in itself). Physical limitations have usually meant paying someone else to help, or just waiting and dreaming of what I would do, if only. This includes cleaning the house. Thanks!
I shared on another channel, I did this exact editing with my lounge. Reduced the amount of furniture but also the size.... The space is so wonderful now, we don't have big chunky furniture that swamped the room.
Perfect timing Dawn. Me and my husband have been married for 15 years this year. When we got married we both had houses. We decided to keep my (our now) house, and his bedroom furniture but my bedroom is much smaller. I'd like to take out a dresser cause it just feels so cluttered. Justing setting on the bed to try and figure out what to do..🤷🏻♀️. The bed is a king so it takes up quite a bit of space...but love the size and how it sleeps.
Dawn, those are such EXCELLENT questions! And you explained it all so wonderfully. A mix of your real estate expertise. Joshua Becker mindset, and good 'ol common sense! I just love how you make me feel "normal!" haha But, it's true. I love what you said about making your house adequate for the "everyday" and not the "occasional." Yes, we can always make do when company comes. I am learning too, and feel so good about having less and using what we have while still, loving it. Only one question, What do you think about when people look at you like you are crazy when you say that cluttered drawers, spaces, CLUTTER itself bother you? Do you feel like you have to explain yourself to them? I find that what you and I see as "clutter," other people see as all of their stuff...piles of it...and it doesn't even bother them. Instead, it comforts them. They are just at a different place than us, right? I actually have JOY pure JOY at cleared out spaces, room to breathe spaces, less furniture, gadgets, knick knacks... but I noticed that much of my extended family are simply neutral about stuff around them. They may never travel this journey that we are on, and that is okay...just please, "Don't look at me like I am, um, "weird." ( I want to say!) Oh! We have that EXACT IKEA dresser in white as our bdrm dresser. You are right; it is large. I dreamed of having a pretty dresser our whole marriage and it finally happened after 20ish years. Our bdrm is very large though, 14 by 13 and our LR is just 16 by 16. Funny huh? All that is in our bdrm is our bed, the dresser across from it, a small quilt rack and a bench against the wall. That white metal IKEA table that you showed in the basement pic..we have 2 of those on either side of the bed. I always wanted nightstands but hated the idea of having drawers to collect clutter. The metal ones are easy to dust off every am while making the bed, and they just hold a clock, lamp, candle. That makes 6 pieces of furniture in the bdrm with still tons of room. Everything has a purpose. I could not have one thing more or I would not love the open feel. I have a few pix on IG if you follow me, I am #tealoverjb I just love your home and your presentations, Happy Friday :)
We got rid of dressers years ago. Our coffee table and end tables went last year. Today I was excited to sell my China Cabinet.....it had been empty for a bit and it was time to say "good-bye". 😁 Our home is 600 sq ft with 2 adults & a dog....
Yes! My husband has severe allergies and we have a long-haired dog so I prefer to keep our furniture and decorations minimal so that I don't have to clean it! However, whenever people come over, they make comments about how empty our house is or how it looks like we just moved in. Can you make a video about how to decorate/accessorize in a way that is homey but still easy to clean?
I love the idea of getting rid of furniture. What a difference it has made for us as well!! I find myself wanting to be really radical about getting rid of more stuff lately and I’m finding it so hard to let go of more. I find myself keeping a LOT of stuff for company-especially toys for my grandkidlets, outdoor picnic stuff for family gatherings, and family Christmases. Like you, I don’t like keeping a lot of stuff for occasional events. What was the process of your reasoning for letting stuff go that you keep for other people’s’ visits. I need your tips and tricks for this. Loving you videos, Dawn!! 💜
Simple's Good, nothing wrong with keeping things you use. Could you set a goal to pare down 5-10% of the toys, decorations, etc.? Every little bit helps and I find when I start doing it I am often invigorated to get rid of more. Just a thought.
What do you do when your spouse uses kitchen counter tops as storage space for lunch box, spices, knife rack, and the list goes on? I created spaces for all items, but he doesn't use the spaces. I'm frustrated. And, I've lost my desire to cook because it takes so long to clean up his mess, cook, clean up....only to have to clean up again. We are empty nesters. We both work two jobs. I just don't have the energy to keep cleaning up, so I can prepare meals.
I love to declutter big time but my husband isn't that convinced. That makes decluttering difficult. My husband doesn't hoard things but can't easily get rid of stuff that has sentimental values.
17 pieces of large furniture out the door ! Today was the last of it and feels great !
Woohoo, good for you 👏
I like what you said about “knowing what’s hiding in the drawers” - even when a house LOOKS tidy, knowing that there’s clutter to take care of, still takes up room in your brain and adds stress. Clearing out ALL the extra unnecessary things has been so therapeutic for me. I still have a small pile in my living room from all the other rooms and closets that I’m sifting through and I hate that it’s there but I want to do it right and retraining my brain to realize that none of that stuff really matters, helps to let go it. As a long time, stay at home mom, I’m a frugal/guilt hoarder in minimalist-recovery so it’s been a challenge.
It's like you can "hear" the STUFF hidden in the drawers.
Am I the only one that likes to clean out, declutter, get rid of, throw out while listening to Dawn? 😂 Also when I get nervous or stressed I start decluttering. Just how some people eat when they are stressed...I declutter.
Me too. 😀 I think it's a great remedy
Me too. Tidy, decluttered and clean house means a distressed me 😝
Oh that's such a better response than eating or shopping!!!!!😉👍♥️
I love watching her as I clean/decutter it keeps me motivated and it helps to keep all her amazing tips fresh in my mind😊
Yes Lisa S! Totally agree! 👍Dawn's videos are a perfect motivator and companion to cleaning and decluttering. I don't know how she does it, but even listening to an older video-- I'll hear advice that's totally relevant to the items I'm decluttering. It's awesome! Hey, better that we declutter and triumph than spent and regret, right??!!
Ah, I love that; "consider the season of your life."
At the beginning of this year we moved out all of our furniture so our stone floors could be polished and sealed. After the floors were done I didn't want all that extra furniture back because the spaces looked clean and spacious. We only brought back the couch and 2 chairs and hung the t.v. on the wall. We got rid of wall units and hutches and book shelves. I love it and it is so much easier to keep clean.🙂
Thanks Dawn. I needed this today. I had two big bulky red leather swivel chairs that I didn't like anymore. I got them used, but they were high-end and I paid $300 each. I really don't even like red. I don't wear red. I used it in decorating in my past, but don't like it anymore. I also had my mother's tiffany-style stained glass lamps, that I inherited and they don't go with my newer, more minamalist-modern vibe. I moved them out after seeing your video this morning and I tell you what, it felt like a breath of sunshine. I felt so light and happy seeing them gone. Thanks for the permission to let go of something I paid money for and also something sentimental. Just because Mom liked it doesn't mean I have to like it. She also changed her decorating styles over the years, so I know she'd understand. I'll try to sell them, but if they don't go fast (by the end of the weekend) I'll donate to Habitat for Humanity re-store. You always inspire me soooooooooooo much. Thanks Chica!
I want to say one more thing which is that its more than just getting rid of furniture or whatever the stuff is. It's pulling back layers of what has accumulated over 11 years of marriage and 3 kids later and rediscovering who I am...a fresher me, wife and mother. I got lost as an individual among all the layers. As a mother and wife I wear many hats so by minimizing stuff I am also decluttering my mind. Thanks to your posts which are very realistic and not weird I am on my way to a better, fresher mindset. May God bless your family with all that you need .
Thank you so much and so well said!!! Blessings to you, too!! :) :) :)
Yeeesss to this video! My husband and I were JUST saying the other day how we have company like 2 times a year for only a few days! So why do we need to keep a whole spare bedroom set up all year when we could be using the space for ourselves? I ❤ the questions you said we can ask ourselves about our furniture. I didn't realize how many hand-me-down pieces we've actually owned for the last 20+ years! And almost NONE of it brings me joy! Time to move it on out. Exciting! 😁 Practical, encouraging and absolutely do-able advice once again, Dawn! 👍
Kelsey D I have ( finally) a small bedroom to use for my hobbies. I relented and put a twin bed in also ( women does this you know) for the very occasional guest. There is a nice b&b nearby and I found I was very annoyed when my husband offered MY space for a visitor . I am considering getting rid of the bed then there will be NO option but nearby hospitality venues for guests.
Yes, set it free! Someone else is looking for just that piece and will appreciate it.
We have had several bad tornadoes in our area this year that displaced many people; many of whom had no insurance. Community furniture banks can get your old pieces to those who really need them.
After watching this video, I was on a mission. I’ve simplified my life decluttered so many times. Because I’ve been off work for a few month do to injury, I’ve had time to really stare at my things. So the idea of getting rid of furniture that was “”in my way”. Messed up my flow”. I posed to sell a few things and as time went buy, I posted Free if you can pick up today! Ahhhh I feel so much better. Thank you!
I found we didn't need a lot of furniture once we got rid of the stuff that was in there. Lol . I also thought I better get rid of it before I refill it. Great video
So much easier to breathe. Love how your children are learning how to participate in the cleaning and cooking, etc. Really great kids and family. So nice to see.
I remember reading that we are natural hoarders and I definitely feel it. Same thing with food. When the weather gets cold I want to eat more and stock up my pantry. And I definitely have too much furniture for my house. Great tips. Really love your channel.
You really hit the nail on the head there! Ever since watching your videos I’ve felt like I have “permission” to get rid of things. 🙌🏻❤️ Thank you!!
This is so true for me. I have gotten rid of some furniture after I started decluttering. Decluttering is the best thing I have ever done for myself besides loving God of course. I am so happy now. It’s so much less stuff to manage. I have said this so much after I heard you say it. If I don’t want to manage it I don’t bring it into my home. I don’t take things because some one else wants to give it to me.
Thanks sssoooooo much Dawn! My first thought when I saw the "after" in your first video was "There is not enough seating!" But when you explained doing something that is right for your family amd not the occassional get together, a light bulb went on! I've been thinking about downsizing our large dining table but was worried "Where do people eat if we have a family gatherimg?" Well, we have a gathering at our house once every year or two and what's wrong with eating buffet style with random seating anyway! Thanks Dawn for showing me there is freedom to do what is best for us!
I'm so glad to hear this!! ♥️
You can borrow a table and some chairs for those gatherings too. It's often easy to get guests to bring things to special events.
you could picnic inside with a blanket and socks/barefooted pretzel-sitting. many asian families do this :)
So agree with the idea of not keeping stuff for the occasional event. I was doing the same but realized that we can always make do with what we have and that the people who come over aren't going to care.
Thank you for this. We hauled around a piano (that no one played) given to us by my parents through 8 moves- crazy!!
Your advise is timely and appreciated!!
Isn't it funny the things we move around!?! You definitely aren't alone!!!
I think I found you about a year and a half ago and I am so glad I did. I've been on this minimal journey for about 8 years now but off and on. There's always something that sets me back a bit. Thankfully, I find my way again before too much damage is done. This video is exactly what I needed today. I have, what I consider to be a beautiful coffee table, or it was 5 years ago, I've had a hard time letting it go. My kids have really destroyed it and being a flat surface it just collects so much stuff. The bottom of it is also used for hiding things when cleaning is supposed to take place. I've been on the fence about it. It's never properly used and more often than not it is a launching pad to crash land onto the couch. I think it's time has come... This video and furniture editing I think has given me what I needed to let it go.
Yes, yes, yes!! Permission accepted. We’re in a similar situation, 1500 sq ft and 6 people and I get the same reaction in my home too. The breathing room gives us space to be creative- mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Love the room Dawn. A month ago my inlaws moved into the new house we built and it was a beautiful space. Then they emptied their storage unit and the house is rammed with 3 generations of stuff. It really brings your point home! They're constantly de-cluttering right now and it's exhausting. Makes me more determined to clear our bit of the house.
This couldn’t have come at a better time! One question that I keep trying to ask myself is “Do I like the thing itself, or do I like the *idea* of this thing?”
The couch, for example. Everyone fights over the armchair, so what if we just had a couple of armchairs instead? As you said, we could always use dining or folding chairs if we have guests.
So glad to hear you say that about seating. We only have company (more than 1 or 2 people) on the occasional birthday or holiday. But family members are always insisting we need more seating. No thanks! 🙂
i brought up the idea of my family members (three of us total) each having a recliner and the response was, where will we put a couch/sofa for guests? .... what guests, when will they be here...???
We know a guy who was in desperate need of some furniture and we had this old loveseat we weren’t crazy about anyway (also had a full size couch and a chair) when we took it out of our house we fell in love with the little bit of space it opened up. My mom asked a few times when we were going to get a new loveseat because it’s expected but it’s been a couple of years now😄
We made the decision a few years ago to take ALL our DVDs and Blu-ray disks out of their cases and put them into flat sleeves for filing in a card-catalog style box. It was the best decision ever!!! They had been taking up so much room and with nearly 400 movies, it was getting hard to find things. I alphabetically organized the movies by title with a color coding system for movie rating so my kids could easily see if it was a movie they could watch...yellow and red were for PG13 and R, blue and green were G and PG respectively. I also added information about the movie such as year of release, main actors, and running time. It’s been a perfect system and so efficient for actual movie watching. I was afraid at first to throw the cases away (resale) but I think with their smaller footprint, we probably won’t ever get rid of them. Just wanted to share in case someone else has this issue of too many movies and not enough space😉
2020 is the year for us to finally get decluttered. Yesterday we removed 2 big pieces of furniture. Today I removed another. It feels SO GOOD for them to be gone !! Yesterday we took a big bag of clothes, a bag of misc, the furniture & 17 mugs to thrift shop. Today I passed along 3 small appliances to a friend who knows people who can benefit from them. My husband had trouble letting go of a chair.....but we weren't using that chair any more. It was just collecting stuff ! It feels wonderful for it to be gone. It feels so good to see dents in the clutter. I am finding it easier to clean w/less stuff in our home. We have more floor space now & I love the empty space!
I have the same dresser as you but it's a beautiful blue! I bought it as a TV stand because I don't like the TV low down and I'm in rented so can't put it on the wall; also it was to hold all my stuff which thanks to you and Joshua Becker I'm getting rid of 😁 Seriously, I had the same stuff as you inside, games we don't play, an old Wii & fitness board (LOL) DVDs and TWO DVD players (?) boxes of CD's I don't listen to and even CASSETTES from the 80's & 90's 😂 One drawer was full of old candles & tea lights, another odd wires & old phones and the only useful drawer has blankets for when it's cold! Now I have a beautiful but almost empty cabinet but It's in useless recess so not taking space and I do love it so I might use it for my work papers and get rid of my ugly filing cabinet instead 😉 and get more space in my 'office' (still a store room - next step!)
Every Vlog you post I think I will comment. I started following you earlier this year. I was drowning in paperwork. What to save? What to keep? I was absolutely TORMENTED. I asked Minimal groups on FB. I Googled it. T O R M E N T E D. My paperwork sat for two months I couldn't even look at it. Until one day surfing through RUclips. There you were with an easy system I could wrap my mind around. Life changing! I finished filing all my paperwork since July of 2017 Yes for real! Since then I have discovered all your videos, the ones you and your sister make and the ones with Tom. You all are so awesome! Keep doing what you do!
I've been going through a major de-cluttering, and every trip to Goodwill feels so good! :) Thanks for all your inspiration and encouragement, Dawn! The questions that have helped me the most are "Do I really want to have to take care of this?" and "Am I even using this?" The answer is usually no! :)
Way to go!!! This is so awesome!!!♥️👍
I'm decluttering too. Two large shopping bags out yesterday then this morning found a box of my grandmother's old dishes. I moved them here nearly 20 years ago and JUST opened the box. (color me embarrassed) They are my next trip, now what else can I pack up to take with them??? 😄
@@TheDriftwoodlover Wow, that's great! I've started feeling as happy getting rid of things, as I used to feel buying them in the first place. :)
Lol , I feel the same ,feels so good after dropping things off at Goodwill. Still have a long way to go but watching Dawn helps me so much 👍
@@jennyslavis375 Oh, good luck to you! My post was over a year ago and the process has been amazing. Sometimes I look at my house now and I just can't believe it...and yes, Dawn is very inspiring! :)
Always great tips! The questions you pose are especially helpful in assessing each individual situation. That way we aren't just trying to "copy" your choices, but we're equipped to evaluate our own. Blessings to you, and thanks!
Robyn Smith I totally agree!!! I feel like I use her question and how she approaches things throughout my house
Thank you so much Robyn!!!♥️😊
@@TheLuzy18 that means alot, thank you Luz!!! ♥️😊
Robyn Smith yes I thought so too.
Dressers are great in the garage or basement to store household items like lightbulbs, extension cords, tools, flashlights. I put labels on mine and it works great.
That's a great idea!!!
Super idea!
T. PAYNE, they are but if they encourage us to stockpile too much it's not good. There's a fine line.
When you get caught up in the "but I spent good money for this so I should keep it" thinking, you are falling prey to the Sunk Cost Fallacy, which is an economics term describing how our past investments drive our present and future behavior and decisions (like keeping an object we spent big on, but that we may not even like or need now)--as if somehow keeping the object allows us to retain the investment. In reality, the money (or labor) is spent, and can never be retrieved--it's a sunk cost/gone forever. The way to move forward is to ADMIT and ACCEPT that the money is gone (look at it like you're paying tuition for a lesson in the school of life!--money well-spent, usually!), and acknowledge that keeping the object does NOT, canNOT, and will NOT ever get the money back. For me, this makes it easier to let go of stuff that may have served the past me, but does not serve today's me.
Amen! Now can you come explain this to my parents? XD
@@Amsjrs12603 hahaha, right!?! ♥️😉
Yes! SO well said! Thank you!!!! ♥️👍
That's a great way of objectifying the loss! My daughter said something to me very similar when I couldn't get rid of clothes I'd bought that I hadn't worn, she said that when I buy a gift for someone I don't consider it a waste of money even though I don't keep it myself, so just consider that you're 'gifting' your clothes to someone that will actually wear them and will be very pleased to have them 💗
@@MsAwesomeGiraffe I literally just donated my mom's crystal cookie jar because it is not serving my current self. I said thank you to it (Marie Kondo-style) and wished it to go to a home that will use it and enjoy it.
Oh man. I needed to see this video. We just got a new kitchen table because our old one was over 15 years old. One of the chairs was broken and the other three were in bad shape. I finally found one that I liked and would fit in our house. (960 sq foot home) I have been having trouble getting rid of our old table because we have alot of memories around that table. :) I tried to search around my house for another purpose for it but, we really just don't have the extra room for it. :/ I think I will bite the bullet and donate it and someone else will maybe enjoy it as much as we have. :)
I am loving your "editing" techniques❤ Seeing the cool transformation in your home is really inspiring me to reevaluate the things in mine! I just went and removed the coasters I hate in my livingroom and I feel better already😆
The less furniture there is the less there is to clean 😅
Amen!!!👍♥️😊
I cannot TELL you how many times I have wanted something and not bought it because I knew dusting it wouldn't be worth it. I really hate dusting.
Agreed, and it also makes it easier to clean because it's easier to move around the room.
"Permission"- exactly what I need! Thank you!!
It is tempting to go out and buy new things to reorganize or reset a room. My current rule is to declutter and minimize first, use what I have second, and then and only then do I consider a new piece of furniture to better suit a room and purpose. Sometimes, we think we need something new, but often just a cleaning, decluttering, and/or rearranging is all we really need. Often, too, impulse buying that new piece of furniture may make us think we are solving a problem when we really aren't. I did this with a huge cedar chest. I thought the ample storage space would spark joy and solve my clutter. Instead, it is the elephant in my living room, and a pain to clean around, so it becomes a dust bunny and Lego trap. I feel badly because I convinced my husband to buy it for me at a "bargain" of $60, and now I don't want it.
If you want to try moving out furniture, but don’t have strong people in your home (especially because of quarantine), furniture sliders are so easy and work incredibly well. I’m not super strong, but I’ve been able to rearrange rooms super easy and by myself with the help of sliders.
Here's a hint for increasing the amount of seating available by using the dining room chairs or in our case the kitchen nook chairs in the great room for larger gatherings.
This is exactly the stage I’m in right now! I still have things to get rid of, but I’m also seeing furniture that no longer serves us, and I’m happy to get rid of it!
Dawn you've really inspired me to go minimalist. We've done our bedroom so far and it is SO MUCH BETTER. I've got my husband on board as well and so looking forward to getting the rest of the house done! Thanks Dawn and Tom!!
Wow, that is so awesome!!! Hard work, but so rewarding!! ♥️
I think this is by far one of my favorite videos from your channel.
I am so excited to get rid of a buffet!! We have such a small house and the buffet is pretty huge! And it was always full of junk and clutter!
We parted ways with two large cabinets, that were in our livingroom. They were over flowing with stuff. So, I cleaned them out. Most of it was stuff we didn't need anyways. What we did need I had other places for the stuff. It made our livingroom feel so much bigger.
Thank you for this video! I just took out a bookshelf that was so bulky and replaced it with something I had in another room that takes up so much less space and is easier to keep clean. Keep your inspirational videos coming! I look forward to all of them!
Good work and THANK YOU Heather!!! :)
Im already thinking about what i can let go. 😁 thank you SO MUCH for the boost!!
That's awesome!!! ♥️👍 I wish Tom and I could come around and help move things out 😉
@@TheMinimalMom Wouldn't that be awesome!! 😀
We have 2 coffee tables and 1 of them we use to put cages from our lodge parrots. This made the room feel larger. When the guests were gone again with my husband consulted to save 1 so that we had more space in the living room. He didn't find it at first and agreed to just try it for a while. Meanwhile 6 months later he is also used to it.
Love that comment, thinking about the season you are in. I was talking to someone just the other day about how I am getting rid of stuff that doesn’t fit into this current season of life and I can always re-buy it later on in life if I really want it!!!
Yep, folding chairs (and tables) do the job when relatives and friends come over.
Love all the tips! So good! I personally love revamping spaces, reorganizing, etc. so I love stuff like this - but I also hate cleaning certain things and love having less in our living space! It’s my daycare that I struggle with! And it’s pretty minimal overall but there’s just so much STUFF that comes along with caring for ages 0-5 at one time
I know this is an older video, but just ran across it. When our last child moved out we went on a decluttering rampage. We got rid of bunk bed frames, three desks, two desk chairs, a big clunky dresser, a rocking chair, and a bookcase. It was amazing how free it left me feeling. The other day I told my husband that I'm kind of over our china hutch. Now I'm itching to get rid of it but I'm not sure who will be willing to take it. Everytime I look at my dining room though now, I see this china hutch that is just visual clutter.
Thanks so much! My kids are grown & have their own families, my husband passed away years ago. I’ll be moving from Texas to Kentucky, so thanks also for the staging tips.
Really enjoyed this video! You motivated me to get rid of a bookcase in my bedroom and now I have so much more space!
You've got me here, I need to declutter my guest bedroom and living room.
This was exactly what I needed to hear. I’ve declutt pretty well over the last few years but there were a few peices of furniture I was holding onto. After I watched your video I could finally let go and got rid of them within the hour, aaaahhhhh relief
I really like way your living room looks without the chair, looks more inviting
You are awesome Dawn!
Very practical tips and genuine as always.
I love interior design and having a flowing theme throughout the house with furniture and curtains cushions decor. It does have to be meaningful your right! Some beautiful styles are French Romantic, Mauresque, Moroccan, Oriental, Baroque, Mid century, Art Nouveau, Modern Contemporary, or Farm house. You can pick up really beautiful second hand pieces and sometimes good quality new furniture is a lifetime investment. It doesn't work to have different styles in each room, they won't flow so well, but they could be similar styles such as a bit of oriental in each morrocan style room. Also matching pieces look pretty boring, it pays to brighten it up with for example a brown leather chaise and velvet arm chairs. Or a Persian rug on wooden floors, or French tassel cushions with a heavy linen throw. Mix it up, make it yours put the B back in Beautiful Living Experience ❤
I’m a new subscriber and I greatly enjoy your videos! You have become my favorite youtuber quickly and now when I watch my old favorite youTubers I think, if they had less stuff, they wouldn’t have to work so hard. I frequently make donations (just dropped off 3 trash bags this morning and gave to someone in need the last 2 Sundays). I cleaned out my kids drawers how you showed yesterday and I’m so excited (no thinking, just grabbed clothes in the drawer this morning!). Thank you for your videos and sharing your faith, it’s most important to me.
Just saw this today for the first time (but not the last time, I'm sure! :-D) and so many things just resonated with me, both in Dawn's words and in the marvelous comments. Thank you all. So very helpful as I move forward along this journey.
Yes !!! I have become so "picky" as my husband says... I call it intentional. With every purchase. I have a house full of furniture (minimal and functional) but they are not the exact thing I wanted! I'd rather make do and wait to find the perfect piece at a price I'm comfortable paying. Preferably second hand! Just this year alone we got rid of our 9 year old daughters nightstand, (more like a clutter/junk collector), recliner, side table, center part of our L shaped couch (it was massive), extra kinky chairs, we replace our long rectangle table for 6, with a round one for 4 with a leaf that seats 10, but it's so much easier to move around with the round table and only 4 chairs, ( we keep a 6ft party table and 8 chairs in small storage unit in back). I don't have much decorations maybe one or two per room but every time I look at them I go "ugghhhh" the guilt. Lol. I'm working on it!
It's such a good feeling! I got rid of some furniture, artwork, kitchenware to someone who really needed it. Feels like such a win. He's coming this week to take a few more things I have for him.
I always enjoy your perspective! Very helpful content!
Thank you Marianne!!!♥️😊
I agree. I got rid of a bunch of furniture. That made me happy.
An oldie but a goodie❤
Very timely. I was just looking at some furniture this weekend thinking that it just attracts clutter that I have to clean around. I think I'm going to take pictures, haul them down to storage (to free up the space) and post them "for sale" and see if I can't get rid of them.
I've put 4 pieces of bulky mdf furniture out on the curb this summer 🎉 little changes like that make vacuuming and spring cleaning a breeze
I got rid of the wardrobe where I stored my vacuum and cleaning supplies. They now fit under the decluttered sink and in my decluttered closet. I decluttered a chest of drawers and fitted all the dvds I am keeping in there, so I could get rid of a big bookcase in the living room
Thanks for always motivating me!
You're very welcome Melissa!!! ♥️😉
Every video is an inspiration
This was super helpful and exactly what I needed to hear!
You really help put in perspective the faulty thinking that keeps us cluttered - or allows us to get that way. That dresser ... so nice I would have had a tough time letting go so kudos to you that you did.
I liked the "culturaly expected" ... so true
That one chair would only seat 1 person anyway if you had people over. For less floor space you can store several of your stackable chairs. Great idea.
I have a couple tables I bought cheap at a consignment shop several years ago.
I'm ready to let them go, but I'll have to deal with all the STUFF on/in them. Ugh! The struggle is real.
Dawn,
We're not all natural hoarders. I used to be minimal, neat + tidy. ( Used to be) I have several friends who are naturally organized, neat, clean + tidy, some even to excess. ( I would take even 25% of their gift) They were born with it. I continually work at it. Thanks for all your help!
I love watching your videos, Dawn! Even though your video is obviously about decluttering the space and making your home feel good, I think the quote I found most meaningful to me was "It takes time to raise kids." I'm going to write that down and will be reminding myself that everytime I get frustrated when my to do list doesn't get done. 4 little babes take time to raise!! Thanks again :)
Such good advice! I am learning to embrace less is more! It’s taken a long time. We downsized to two bedroom log cabin we built. Our kids are grown.the second bedroom (a loft) is for them when they visit.
This is so hard for me! I am the queen of buying something, trying it for a couple of months and deciding I don't actually like it in the space or it doesn't function like I thought--and it is usually too late to return it. Drives my husband nuts. It has made me much more selective when choosing and more creative to see if I need it or can find a better option.
Need to watch part 1 you just made me think that I might replace my big desk for a small one. Love your videos I always learn something new
I'm looking on top of all my furniture and yes there is stuff on top of everything hmm. Some great interior advice is your living room is for socializing/family fun it's not a museum
Started getting rid of furniture and it’s so freeing!! Finally have the space to get things we actually want and more importantly our rooms have more space😍😍😍
I would have kept the dresser and gotten rid of the toy bins. Definitely get rid of one or the other. They are similar, but the dresser is prettier. Could you put bins inside the drawers? I am all about the spacious. Just got rid of 1/2 of the office furniture. It feels amazing
Good question! I agree that the dresser is much nicer looking, it just felt too big for the space...its harder to tell on the video, but in person it was a really significant difference in how the room felt without the dresser :)
Speaking of recliners. We bought a recliner to replace my wife’s older one. However, the cats and dog quickly claimed the new recliner as their new bed, so we ended up moving out their old pet bed instead and my wife was stuck with her old recliner which we now looked as broken in instead of old.
Extremely helpful! Thank you, Dawn!
Cutest thumbnail ever!! You are so stinkin' adorable. (OK, even though we are basically the same age, adorable is the only word for you, ha ha). Love these ideas of editing a room.
When are you going to write a book with pictures and tips? I'd love a reference with everything in one place (talk about organized...)
Thanks for posting helpful content!
I've never thought of myself as a writer, but THANK YOU for the kind words and encouragement!!😊♥️👍
(I'd buy it). :)@@TheMinimalMom
Hi Dawn-Love seeing all your videos! I have a question for you: would you consider doing a video or video series on how to adopt minimalism while being physically disabled? This is obviously a challenge, because you cannot just get motivated and do it (no easy task in itself). Physical limitations have usually meant paying someone else to help, or just waiting and dreaming of what I would do, if only. This includes cleaning the house. Thanks!
I shared on another channel, I did this exact editing with my lounge. Reduced the amount of furniture but also the size.... The space is so wonderful now, we don't have big chunky furniture that swamped the room.
Nope. It's a tardis. Definitely bigger on the inside. Just kidding. Lol. Great ideas as always.
Perfect timing Dawn. Me and my husband have been married for 15 years this year. When we got married we both had houses. We decided to keep my (our now) house, and his bedroom furniture but my bedroom is much smaller. I'd like to take out a dresser cause it just feels so cluttered. Justing setting on the bed to try and figure out what to do..🤷🏻♀️. The bed is a king so it takes up quite a bit of space...but love the size and how it sleeps.
Stocking up for Seasons of Lack - we had no idea what was comin'!!
Dawn, those are such EXCELLENT questions! And you explained it all so wonderfully. A mix of your real estate expertise. Joshua Becker mindset, and good 'ol common sense! I just love how you make me feel "normal!" haha But, it's true. I love what you said about making your house adequate for the "everyday" and not the "occasional." Yes, we can always make do when company comes. I am learning too, and feel so good about having less and using what we have while still, loving it. Only one question, What do you think about when people look at you like you are crazy when you say that cluttered drawers, spaces, CLUTTER itself bother you? Do you feel like you have to explain yourself to them? I find that what you and I see as "clutter," other people see as all of their stuff...piles of it...and it doesn't even bother them. Instead, it comforts them. They are just at a different place than us, right? I actually have JOY pure JOY at cleared out spaces, room to breathe spaces, less furniture, gadgets, knick knacks... but I noticed that much of my extended family are simply neutral about stuff around them. They may never travel this journey that we are on, and that is okay...just please, "Don't look at me like I am, um, "weird." ( I want to say!) Oh! We have that EXACT IKEA dresser in white as our bdrm dresser. You are right; it is large. I dreamed of having a pretty dresser our whole marriage and it finally happened after 20ish years. Our bdrm is very large though, 14 by 13 and our LR is just 16 by 16. Funny huh? All that is in our bdrm is our bed, the dresser across from it, a small quilt rack and a bench against the wall. That white metal IKEA table that you showed in the basement pic..we have 2 of those on either side of the bed. I always wanted nightstands but hated the idea of having drawers to collect clutter. The metal ones are easy to dust off every am while making the bed, and they just hold a clock, lamp, candle. That makes 6 pieces of furniture in the bdrm with still tons of room. Everything has a purpose. I could not have one thing more or I would not love the open feel. I have a few pix on IG if you follow me, I am #tealoverjb I just love your home and your presentations, Happy Friday :)
Yes... this!! Great ideas!! ❤️❤️🥰
It's a cute chair,I would had buy it from you ,would make a nice ACCENT piece.
We got rid of dressers years ago. Our coffee table and end tables went last year. Today I was excited to sell my China Cabinet.....it had been empty for a bit and it was time to say "good-bye". 😁
Our home is 600 sq ft with 2 adults & a dog....
I have one clutter draw that has a party nearly every week and invites new friends over for hang out time but they never leave hehe
Yes! My husband has severe allergies and we have a long-haired dog so I prefer to keep our furniture and decorations minimal so that I don't have to clean it! However, whenever people come over, they make comments about how empty our house is or how it looks like we just moved in. Can you make a video about how to decorate/accessorize in a way that is homey but still easy to clean?
Love your videos. Have you thought about putting DVDs in a big CD zip up holder? I did and I'm so happy with it. ☺
YES, that is where the kids' DVD's are and we love it!!!
I love the idea of getting rid of furniture. What a difference it has made for us as well!! I find myself wanting to be really radical about getting rid of more stuff lately and I’m finding it so hard to let go of more. I find myself keeping a LOT of stuff for company-especially toys for my grandkidlets, outdoor picnic stuff for family gatherings, and family Christmases. Like you, I don’t like keeping a lot of stuff for occasional events. What was the process of your reasoning for letting stuff go that you keep for other people’s’ visits. I need your tips and tricks for this. Loving you videos, Dawn!! 💜
Simple's Good, nothing wrong with keeping things you use. Could you set a goal to pare down 5-10% of the toys, decorations, etc.? Every little bit helps and I find when I start doing it I am often invigorated to get rid of more. Just a thought.
What do you do when your spouse uses kitchen counter tops as storage space for lunch box, spices, knife rack, and the list goes on? I created spaces for all items, but he doesn't use the spaces. I'm frustrated. And, I've lost my desire to cook because it takes so long to clean up his mess, cook, clean up....only to have to clean up again. We are empty nesters. We both work two jobs. I just don't have the energy to keep cleaning up, so I can prepare meals.
Virginia B. Garrett-Cannon check out Clutterbug!! She has great advice for organizing for different personalities.
I love to declutter big time but my husband isn't that convinced. That makes decluttering difficult. My husband doesn't hoard things but can't easily get rid of stuff that has sentimental values.
I’m at paper decluttering and my head hurts!!!😩😫😫
Furniture has been the hardest to declutter because it and be so useful haha unlike that shirt I can't fit or havemt worn in 2 years
Your house also feels feels bigger inside because you opened up the rooms. It’s not the typical tiny separate rooms as that style of house usually is!